In Memoriam

A Note from the web manager: Washington Grove has loved and lost many residents — residents who have advised, healed, advocated for, encouraged, entertained, mentored, comforted, charmed, guided, and served their fellow Americans, Marylanders, MoCo’ers and Grovers.

Below, you will find profiles of some of our neighbors whom we have lost, beginning in late 2021. If you wish to add a profile of your loved one to this page (no matter his or her death date), please contact the web manager.

Let’s remember:

Nick Suzich, 1955 – 2026

Beloved husband, father, brother, and friend Nick Suzich passed away peacefully in his home on May 18 after courageously battling a rare neurodegenerative disorder, multiple system atrophy (MSA). A native of Danville, Pennsylvania, Nick graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1977 with a degree in English. He worked in retail management, retiring early to become a stay-at-home dad to his two sons Pete and Tim. A devoted husband and father, he is survived by his wife of 49 years JoAnn, his sons Peter and Timothy (Samantha), granddaughter Victoria, two sisters and a brother, and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Nick volunteered tirelessly as a Boy Scout leader, and he served in the Grove for many years as Chair of the Board of Elections. He thoroughly enjoyed gardening, cooking, and sharing good food, wine and conversation with family and friends including “The Wine Club”. He took great pleasure in spending time outdoors, hiking and backpacking parts of the Appalachian Trail and cherishing family vacations out west where adventures included trekking down into the Grand Canyon. He loved to swim, especially on annual family trips to Topsail Island, NC.

Ever optimistic, Nick faced his illness with grace—an illness that robbed him of his ability to swim, run, walk unassisted, garden, cook, and even write his name. He never displayed anger and refused to sink into self-pity or despair. He truly appreciated any kindness shown to him. Throughout his sickness, Nick maintained his sense of humor. He will be deeply missed. A funeral mass for Nick is scheduled for Friday, May 29 at 11 am at St. Francis of Assisi, 6701 Muncaster Mill Road, Derwood MD 20855. His family will host a celebration of his life in the Grove this summer.

Bill Saar, 1953 – 2026

Longtime Grove resident Bill Saar passed away on May 4. Above all, Bill was a wonderful parent. With his first wife, Mary Murray, Bill raised his son, Skylar, in the house he built on Grove Avenue; and with his second wife Ramona Finn Saar, he raised Will, Logan, and Spencer there as well. Over the years, the house became a welcoming gathering place for the boys and their friends—especially as a space for practicing and playing live music. Bill also generously managed the Town website for many years.

Read Bill’s full obituary here.

Betty Knight, 1926 – 2026

The Grove’s oldest resident, Betty Knight, passed away on February 9, 2026 at 99 years, nine months. Betty lived in the Grove for 60 years, happily designing additions and knocking down walls of her beloved home. Betty taught in Montgomery County public schools for many years. She adored her daughters Nancy and Kathy (who serves as Town Clerk here in the Grove), and her extended family.

Betty loved above all God and worshipping at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, where she sang in the choir until she was 98.

Read Betty’s full obituary here.

Ann Briggs

Ann was an extraordinary person—gifted with wit, warmth, intelligence, imagination, and integrity. In Montgomery County, she served for many years as MCPS Director of the Department of Educational Facilities Planning and Capital Programming. Earlier, she served in the 1970s on the Shady Grove Sector Plan Advisory Committee and, over many years, gave steadfast support to Heritage Montgomery.

No Grover has done more in service to the Town. Many will remember that Ann served on the Town Council from 1976 to 1979, and again from 1994 to 1997, before serving two years as mayor. But her devotion to Washington Grove extended far beyond elected office.

A lover of music, Ann helped establish the Mousetrap Concert Series and organized Grove singalongs and other musical gatherings over the years. She spearheaded the Deer Park Bridge Advisory Group, helped develop the 2009 Comprehensive/Master Plan, and served as the first chair of what is now the Woods Committee. She led the McCathran Hall Needs Committee in 2010, conducted oral histories and interviews in support of the Town’s nomination to the National Register, served on the Recreation Committee, and worked tirelessly with county representatives on stormwater management issues.

In ways both visible and behind the scenes, Ann shaped the Grove we know today. Her intellect, persistence, and deep love for this community leave a lasting legacy, and her absence will be deeply felt.

Charlie Negin, 1938-2025

Charlie passed away in October 2025. Charlie loved living in the Grove. He was unfailingly kind, helpful, and generous with his time. As Charlie and Mary Challstrom noted, “Charlie Negin was one of the kindest souls we ever met. When our niece Helen came to spend the summer shortly after her mom died, Charlie took her canoeing on a beautiful summer afternoon. She has never forgotten the peacefulness of that day and his kindness. Charlie was also instrumental in moving the Town of Washington Grove finances into the digital age, helping to set up the Town’s financial accounts using QuickBooks. He never seemed to want the limelight, always quietly supporting those he loved behind the scenes. We are fortunate to have known and loved him.”

Charlie often said that he had three churches: the Pacific Ocean, the Grand Canyon, and the East Woods of Washington Grove. He passed his love of the outdoors on to his children, through adventures ranging from whitewater rafting to canoeing and exploring national parks across the country.

View Charlie’s full obituary here.

Ann Shiflet, 1953-2025

Ann passed away on June 23, 2025. She lived in the Grove most of her life, often saying that she felt very lucky to have grown up here, alongside her large family. After meeting her husband Jim, Ann settled in a house of her own in the Grove within walking distance of many extended family members. She and Jim raised their two daughters there; they also spent many a summer day vacationing in their beloved Outer Banks.

Ann began volunteering at the Washington Grove Elementary School where her daughters were students, and was eventually recruited by the principal to work part time. With her kind and patient demeanor, Ann fit right in as a paraeducator — an instructional assistant — coaching students who needed extra help. When needed, she could summon a stern voice to control the lunchroom volume. Even after a disabling chronic illness forced her to retire, Ann kept busy, reading books, working on puzzles, and entertaining her children and grandchildren.

View Ann’s full obituary here.

Joan McCathran Mahaffey, 1945-2025

Our beloved friend and neighbor Joan Mahaffey died on Thursday, April 10, 2025, after a brief illness. She was a brilliant, passionate person with the biggest smile, the most joyful laugh, and the kindest heart, and she generously shared her light with others. She was an extraordinary teacher who worked passionately and ceaselessly for social justice through education, conservation, and kindness. As a lifelong devout Roman Catholic, she lived her values, actively practicing empathy, acceptance, and love while pursuing her convictions with boundless energy. She leaves us all with a shared legacy of love, kindness, and a commitment to justice.

We will all hold onto the quiet peaceful moments we shared in Washington Grove, a place that holds so much of her soul. The Grove will always carry her spirit. We will feel her in the trees, in the rustle of the leaves, in the soft evening light that falls around the homes. She will always be here.

View Joan’s full obituary here.

Allan Janus, 1951-2025

Longtime Grover Allan died on January 6, 2025. In the words of his friend and fellow Grover Zach Negin, “Allan was a sweet man. He was kind, funny, and above all else, a wonderful neighbor.” Early in his Grove tenure, Allan learned that, in the words of Norman Douglas, “Many a man who thinks to found a home, discovers that he has merely opened a tavern for his friends.” Whenever a fellow Grover passed by the old homestead, Allan welcomed them to his front porch, offering a shot of corn mash, a pisco sour, or a glass of vinho verde, accompanied by dryly imparted witticisms and reveries about cats gone by.

Allan gave his all for his neighbors. When Zach dutifully took it upon himself to learn how to make pies from scratch, “Allan graciously offered to be my taste tester as I made pie after pie. I don’t recall a lot of critical feedback other than ‘You’re almost there, but I think you should try to make ONE more’ each time I brought him a slice, ensuring his steady delivery of pie was uninterrupted.”

Allan will forever be remembered for his Musket Therapy™, bringing relief to all who fired it, and chagrin to those nearby not expecting a gun to go off. And he taught a host of grateful Grove ladies the fine art of sabrage, ensuring not only that secret stashes of bubbly would always be available in the event of champagne emergencies, but also that in the event of an attack on the Grove, a host of sabres and swordswomen would be at the ready.

Read his full obituary here.

Doris Gordon, 1929-2024

Doris died Monday, October 14 at the Wilson Healthcare Center at Asbury. She was 95. Doris and her husband Gary lived in Washington Grove for more than 50 years and raised their four sons and daughter here. In 2017, they moved to Asbury retirement community. Gentle and principled, Doris was deeply spiritual; generous with her time; wicked smart, immensely kind, and wonderfully funny; and a gifted pianist, painter and potter.

Visit Doris’s website here and view her full obituary here.

Terry Cox, 1948-2024

Born in West Virginia along with his twin brother, Larry, Terry moved with his family to Bethesda, where he attended Walt Whitman High School (’67) and started dating his future wife, Susie Rodgers. Terry enjoyed a stellar cross-country career at Whitman. He continued his cross-country success at Montgomery College, where he ran so well that he was both ranked nationally, and inducted into the Montgomery College Athletic Hall of Fame. After college, Terry had a long career that he loved as an IBEW electrician, working on large projects like the DC Metro.

Terry enjoyed living in one of the historic A-frame homes in his beloved Washington Grove, where he kept an impressive garden and volunteered on numerous town projects. He loved spending time with his family in Bethany Beach, where he owned a second home. His family, especially his grandchildren, were the joy of his life.

Within the Grove, Terry’s dedication to maintaining the Town for a solid decade was recognized in seemingly dozens of “Mayor’s Kudos”. When he retired, the Town Bulletin praised his “powers and abilities beyond those of mortal men”, and “his never-ending battle for leaf-less ballfields [and] clear intersections”, saying:

Faster than a speeding bullet,
More powerful than a locomotive.
Able to leap tall leaf piles in a single bound.
Look, up Chestnut Avenue!
It’s a deer, it’s a fox, it’s Terry Cox!

Read Terry’s obituary here.

Jim Shiflet, 1951-2024

Longtime Grover Jim Shiflet passed away on March 28, 2024. An outdoorsman, Jim enjoyed fishing, camping, hiking, and cruising (first on his motorcycles, and later on his bicycle). He could often be found on his deck catching up with family, friends, and neighbors, and was always ready to offer a good story. He loved the Outer Banks, where he took summer family vacations and fall fishing trips.

Jim was always ready to help when a neighbor needed it. For years, he set up every flag in Town each Labor Day weekend and in advance of other holidays. He also ensured that the Town’s tractor was in fine working form for the annual mayoral ride on the Fourth of July.

Jim (along with his pranks and stories!) is missed by his lively and loving family as well as by his friends and neighbors.

Read Jim’s obituary here.

Birgit Henninger, 1940-2024

Birgit requested no remembrance or obituary, but she is so loved and missed that we thought we’d include a photo.

Marc Hansen, 1946-2023

Our dear friend and fellow Grover Marc Hansen passed away on Saturday, July 15. Mark made his career in the Montgomery County Attorney’s Office, serving for 37 years, including 12 years as County Attorney, before retiring in 2022. As County Executive Marc Elrich said, “Over almost four decades, multiple County Executives, dozens of County Council members, and thousands of County colleagues relied on his advice and guidance.” Marc maintained his love of teaching and mentorship throughout his life, teaching a course in local government at the George Washington University School of Law for many years.

Marc’s service to the Grove was no less exceptional: Town Councilor from 1983 to 1987; Mayor for three terms (1987 to 1990); member of the Grove’s Board of Zoning Appeals for over 30 years, including 23 years as Chair of the BZA; member of the Board of Trustees of Washington Grove United Methodist Church; and Chair of the Washington Grove Dog Park Workgroup.

An able, kind, wise and patient mentor and friend, Marc will be missed by countless former colleagues and by his Grove family, friends and neighbors.

Read Marc’s obituary here.

Darrell Anderson, 1947-2023

Darrell was a celebrated biology and special education teacher in Montgomery County Public Schools for 20 years. Darrell then launched his second career, as a contract writer and project manager for the National Institutes of Health. As if two careers weren’t enough, for years, he was active with the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, becoming Secretary and Chair, where he focused on worker’s issues, health care, and diversity.

Washington Grove was lucky to have him serve two stints on the Town Council, from 2001-2008 and from 2018-2022. In addition, he served as Mayor for three terms, from 2008-2011.

Darrell cherished mentoring young Democrats, and graced his family and friends with both his goofy sense of humor and his intellectual curiosity.

View Darrell’s full obituary here.

Jim Leng, 1948 – 2023

An elementary school physical education teacher, Jim dedicated his 37-year-long career to teaching children how to have fun and to be successful everyday in school through his love of games, his playfulness, and his coaching style. He lovingly became known by all as “Coach.”

Jim also stayed active in Washington Grove, guarding Maple Lake, organizing Lake Day, chairing the Planning Commission, participating in Labor Day events and in the Washington Grove United Methodist Church, and playing Santa Claus for Grove children at Christmastime.

A big personality, a “force of life”, a man who wore shorts every day and to the most formal of events, Jim is already missed by his wonderful and caring family and countless colleagues, friends and neighbors.

Cathy Staneck, 1944 – 2022

Longtime resident Cathy Staneck passed away in April 2022. Cathy was nurtured in the Grove, attending elementary school in a two-room schoolhouse, where she developed her lifelong passion for independent learning and reading. After graduating from Gettysburg College magna cum laude with department honors in mathematics, Cathy briefly taught math in Montgomery County schools before accepting a position at the National Institutes of Health Cancer Research Center. There, she served as a phase principal investigator to program U.S. government research gathered about uranium mining during the 1940’s – 1960’s. As a result of this research, it was determined that uranium miners, who were largely Navajo, developed increased cancer rates; that finding eventually led to a restitution passed in the 1990’s.

After raising her four children, Cathy returned to Gettysburg, first working as a systems analyst in the institutional research department of Gettysburg College, then as the business manager of the Gettysburg Review, and finally as assistant to the president of the College. She and her husband Dave returned home to the Grove in 2018.

View Cathy’s full obituary here.

Liz Robertson, 1947 – 2021

Our friend and neighbor Liz Robertson passed away on December 28, 2021. Liz dedicated her professional life to the field of prevention science, providing scholarship, leadership, advocacy, outreach, and mentoring activities at the National Institute on Drug Abuse for over 18 years. She focused on child development, and in particular, on preventing drug abuse among children. This passion came from a profound, lifelong love of and concern for the children she encountered, both her own and those of her friends and the communities in which she lived.

Here in the Grove, she shared with us her generosity, her dry wit, and her love of children, nature, beautiful gardens, and good parties. She was particularly active in the Woman’s Club, and served as its president in 2021. In her honor, the Club began the annual Liz Robertson Memorial Children’s Underwear Drive. Helping to ensure that all children have underwear was a cause that was close to Liz’s heart.

View a livestream of her memorial service here | View Liz’s full obituary | Learn how Liz’s professional accomplishments were honored at a June 2022 Symposium of the Society for Prevention Research.